Pippa takes on the Big Apple (and its men)

We can confirm what many have long suspected: having a sister who married royalty is not bad for one's social diary.

Pippa Middleton is wowing America's glitterati, and possibly upstaging the local ladies, on her current trip to New York and, unsurprisingly, finds herself (and that perky rear) at the centre of fevered new-squeeze speculations.

First, we heard that the 28-year-old, who has landed herself the 'socialite' label, had been on the end of the (well-practiced) flirtations of high-profile hotelier, Andre Balazs, 55: he who has had a string of A-list girlfriends including Uma Thurman, Chelsea Handler and our very own Katherine Keating.

Seen lazing together at Balazs' Sunset Beach hotel, then in his VW van on a tour of the city with friends, the pair, one "insider" told the New York Post, had "definite chemistry" and that it was nothing short of "flirt central".

Next up, the New York Daily News fell over itself to report that the Duchess of Cambridge's sister had been spotted with Sean Avery, 32, that very night; the New York Rangers ice hockey player and the English rose partying together at the Electric Ballroom at Dream Downtown New York.

According to the Post, the brunette spent a sun-drenched afternoon with the Harvard graduate at Flushing Meadows to watch Australia's Samantha Stosur and Victoria Azarenka battle it out in the US Open ladies' quarter finals match.

But it was the courtside action that had many onlookers aflutter, as 24-year-old Vegosen, son of the US Tennis Association's president seemed to be lapping up Middleton's attentions.

She is expected to grace the front rows of New York Fashion Week's hottest runways over the next few days, delivering a dose of Berkshire charm - not to mention a gaggle of eligible bachelors - to the fashion showcase's heights of hip glamour.

What on/off London-based boyfriend, cricketer Alex Loudon, thinks of Pippa's bite of the Big Apple has yet to be seen - though he may well raise an eyebrow at the breathless reports detailing Pippa's momentous hailing of her own cab, no suitor in tow, in the Meatpacking District. Ah, the heady life of a socialite in demand.